6 Important Writerly Questions with Brian Dunn (“Sleep, Little One”)

Just out from Humorist Books: Sleep, Little One: Bedtime Tales for Tiny Troublemakers. With the dark, realistic, and audacious storytelling of Brian Dunn and the whimsical and haunting illustrations of Lucy Mara Budd, this compendium of frank and honest bedtime stories won’t do much to crush your kid’s anxiety, but it will make everyone involved laugh. Here’s Brian Dunn to explain himself.

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1. Who are you? What are you doing here?

I’m a somewhat nifty guy living and writing in Phoenix, Arizona. I’m here because my new book, Sleep, Little One: Bedtime Tales for Tiny Troublemakers, is a hilarious send-up of children’s bedtime stories featuring gorgeous illustrations by the talented Lucy Budd. Think of this subversive book as the unholy offspring of Lemony Snicket and Edward Gorey. You’d be wise to purchase numerous copies as quickly as you can before children’s advocacy groups ban its sale.

2. Since “Where do you get your ideas?” is a terrible question, what made you want to write this book?

I have to push back on this because I believe “Where do you get your ideas?” is a terrific question, and it’s one I’m delighted to answer here. While I shan’t, for obvious reasons, divulge my exact recipe for creativity, suffice it to say its ingredients include—but aren’t limited to—banana smoothies, Japanese whisky, and crushed yellowjackets. Oh, and chicken entrails. Lots of chicken entrails.

3. How did you keepwriting this book?

See my crushed yellowjackets comment above.

4. Who is this book for, anyway?

Sleep, Little One is a book for any parent harboring a moderate dislike for their child. Also, for children intent on turbocharging their anxiety. Also, for the childless. Most of all, it’s for you.

5. Any darlings you had to kill?

No, they all made it through the gauntlet and onto the printed page.

6. What are you working on now?

A musical comedy based on the movie Midnight Express commissioned by the Phoenix Youth Theatre Company and set to debut next summer.

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Sleep, Little One: Bedtime Tales for Tiny Troublemakers is available now from Humorist Books.